Linda Bruckheimer has spent a lot of time thinking about the future of Cuba's built heritage. Bruckheimer, a novelist, photographer, and trustee of the National Trust, traveled to the Caribbean island in 2014 with the National Trust Council, a group of preservation leaders. We asked her about her experiences there; read on for her answers and a selection of her photos from the trip.

What made you decide to take this trip?

The mystique of Cuba had always fascinated me, but during the post-revolution decades, it had become a stranger, no longer the tropical paradise brimming with tourists, political intrigue, and vibrant night life. In spite of random photographs and anti-Castro newspaper clippings, for years the “real” Cuba remained shrouded in a mysterious bubble.

When colorful stories of Havana began to drift back from visitors, my curiosity and sense of adventure were piqued. In a world that is increasingly generic, I am always searching for authenticity.

This was my first trip, but I have an urgency to return, mostly because I fear that drastic changes will soon occur.

What were the highlights of your visit?

What impressed me the most were the lively street scenes and vignettes of ordinary life. One memorable spot was the crumbling staircase to the paladar, or family-run restaurant, known as La Guarida, where we passed frescoed images of Fidel and colorful laundry draped across the mezzanine.

Other high points: the Bacardi building, an Art Deco masterpiece; The Museum of the Revolution; the Hotel Nacional; Finca Vigía (Hemingway’s estate); and last but not least the Restaurante Floridita—the birthplace of the daiquiri—which is memorialized by Hemingway’s bronze statue perched on his favorite bar stool.

What was the most interesting aspect of Cuba from a photography point of view?

The decaying elegance and architectural majesty mixed with the vibrant turquoise and pink facades create endless “Kodak moments.”

Everywhere you look there are cigar-smoking ladies; “La Revolución” banners; and brides sitting atop vintage convertibles, their tulle and lace blowing in the breeze as they parade through Havana streets.

While other countries have spectacular scenery, it is often impossible to get a shot of a 15^th-century monastery without including garish neon signs from a restaurant franchise. Havana’s perfectly preserved streets offer a rare visual continuity.

What is the biggest challenge to preservation efforts there?

People who live in circumstances that have remained untouched for decades are [often] anxious for change. As the anticipated political shifts occur, the temptation for Cubans to make up for lost time and jump on the progress bandwagon will be a huge stumbling block, one that is not unique to Cuba.

Although there is a legitimate need to accommodate the surge in tourism, this will trigger a chain reaction of events. There will be a strong impulse to remove eyesores and populate blighted neighborhoods with new hotels and businesses. As others have learned, this is a slippery slope. I hope these decisions are made with thoughtful assessment and a master plan.

What can we learn from Cuba regarding preservation?

When time has stood still—as it virtually has in Cuba—and new construction isn’t an option, people are forced to make the most of what they have by preserving it. This reality seems to have bolstered Cubans’ ingenuity and promoted national pride in their architecture.

It has also created a demand for old-world craftspeople. We visited a school that specialized in teaching the arts of wood carving, decorative tile, glasswork, and hand-wrought ironwork. It was an impressive display of talent and a convincing endorsement for restoration.

This same philosophy of “recycling” applies to automobiles. When we were curious about the upkeep of Havana’s vintage cars, our guide mentioned a “boneyard” that supplies spark plugs, batteries, tires and other necessary pieces. When we asked what would happen once all the available parts were gone, the man didn’t miss a beat. “We’re Cubans!” he boasted. “We’ll think of something.”